erickson



A. ERICKSON.

IGNITION VDEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 25.1911.

Patented Oct. 7,1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

A. ERiCKSON. lG NITlON DEVlCE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 25. I917.

A. ERICKSON.

IGNITION DEVICE.

Patented Oct. 7,1919.

4 SHEETS-S HEET3.

A. ERICKSON.

IGNITION DEVICE.

APPLICATION mzo JULY 25. 1911.

Patented 0U 7,1919. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

ALBERT ERIC CUZJEFAZ YY, OE 263$ 13K, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

"UTE, Q1 CHEGAGQ, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO SPLIT'DORF ELECTRICAL IGNITION DEVICE.

nieu ii'l'ates, residing at county of Gook and titatc oi? iiiinois, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Ignition Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to an ignition device for internal combustion engines, and has for itsobjeet theprovision or" a. makeand-break igniter in combination with a magneto generator combined with actuating mechanism whereby the generator and igniter may be positively operated in unison, so as to provide a spark of maximum efficiency.

A further object of the-device is the proyision of an operating mechanism whereby the magneto and igniter are inter-connected in which all adjustments as-heretofore em ployed have been eliminated, the actuating members being so formed and positioned relative to each other that inaccuracies in timing due to wear will be negligible.

A further object is the provision in combination with the actuating mechanism of an engine driven push finger :uljustaloly mounted whereby the timing 01"- the trip of the actuating mechanism and the, advance and retard of the spark is easily accomplished.

Ancillary objects will more fully hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings in which like figures of reference denote the same parts wherever they are shown,

Figure 1 is a front view of the'device constituting my invention with the magneto removed from its support and with'the actu ating mechanism in its normal or fat rest position; i I

Fig. 2 is a view of the engine driven trip finger with the early and late eccentric in the early or advanced position;

Fig.3 is a view of the early and late eccentric in the late or retarded position;

Fig. is a view of the mechanism shown at Fig. 1, at the instant the same is about to be tripped;

Fig. 5 is a view of the-mechanism after its release showing and trip finger in engagement, the trip finger being omitted.

the movable electrode arm $-3pecification of Letters Patent.

thicago, in the Patented Oct. 7, 1919.

Application filed July 25, 1917. Serial NO. 182,728.

Fig. 6 a side view of the complete de- VICB SlIOWIIIg the magneto 1n place;

1 1g. 7 1s a new of the c linder end of the igniter proper, the points being closedwhich i s the position they occupy with the parts in the position shown at Figs. 1 and 4- Fig. 8 is a view of the cylinder end oft-he igniter with thepoints open, which occurs when the mechanism is in the position shown at. Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a'view partly in section on line AB, Fig. 1.

The numeral 1 denotes the flange of a framework supporting the various parts. This is preferably a casting adapted to be attached to the engine cylinder and comprises the body 2 of the makerand-break igniter, the flange portion 1, and the supporting shelf or bracket 4, on which the magneto is mounted; For the sake of brevity, I will hereafter'designate this entire casting as the igniter bracket. That portion of the igniter bracket forming the 1gn1 ter body 2, adapted to project into the engine cylinder is drilled to receive the stem .of the movable electrode 3, and the body 4 of the stationary electrode, it being understood that the stem 5 of the latter is suitably insulated from the body 4, and conse-- quently from the igniter body 2 and all other parts of the device, preferably by means of the mica insulation 6 and the insulating bushing 7.

Upon the inner or cylinder end of the movable electrode 3 and the insulated stem 5 are the contact points 8 and 9 constituting the ordinary make-and-break igniter. It will be understood that all of this igniter mechnism may be of any suitable formfor the proper. performance of the purpose for I which it is employed.

On the outer end of the movable electrode 8 is secured the arm 10 attached to 3 in the position shown at Fig. 1, the igniter points in the cylinder being normally closed as shown at Fig. 7 this being accomplished by means of "the spring 11 which normally pushes arm 10 to the right, Fig. 1, thereby holding the points in engagement. The fixed end of this spring engages-the abutment 1.2 on the body of the igniter bracket.

A helical spring 11* is positioned about the movable electrode 3 and tends normally to shove the same outwardly. thereby hQld:

ing the stem ofv 3 on its seat in the igniter body 2 and preventing leakage of the engine gases.

A pin 13 is suitably secured in the igniter bracket and on this pin is placed the trip.

'mounted on pins 19 and 20 suitably positionedin the igniter bracket.

The trip finger 21 is mounted upon .a support 22 secured to an actuating rod 23 such as the" exhaust valve rod of the engine. Between the support 22 and the trip finger is the early and late eccentric indicated at 24:,this being eccentric to the center pin 25.

VVhenthe finger 26 is thrown to the left, Fig. 2, the distance from the center of the pin 25 to the point 27 is increased. When 26 is thrown to the right as shown at Fig. 3', the distance from the center of 25 to point 27 is decreased. The trip finger is pushed upward by means of a spring 28, and is therefore held in engagement with the trip lever 14 as shown in the figures.

In Fig. 6, the magneto generator is shown connected to the operatin mechanism just described, and it will be 0 served that this is accomplished by means of the bifurcated magneto crank 29 engaging the pin 15 in the trip lever, it being understood that this .magneto crank is securely attached to the shaft'30 of the generator which may be-of any suitable type wherein the oscillation of a member comprising any form of rotor or wire wound armature producesa suitable current. i

- In the embodiment of the herein disclosed, the magneto generator is designated by the numeral 31, and is detachable from the igniter bracket as a complete unit by merely removing the bolt or bolts indicated at 32, and in this connection itwill be observed that it is not necessary to disassemble the generator in order to remove the same, but that the complete operative generator is placed upon the support, shelf or bracket at on which it is suitably and definitely positioned in relation to the other working parts of the device.

A suitable connection is made between the live terminal of the said generator and the binding nuts on the stationary electrode stem 5, the circuit being completed through the contact points in the cylinder, through the body of the-igniter bracket 1 and to the framework of the magneto.

The mechanism being connected up ready for operation and it being understood that rod 23 reciprocates thereby carrying the trip finger 21 back and forth underneaththe trip. lever 14, it will be presumed that the device is in the normal position shown invention aerate? at Fig. 1, and that the trip finger is moved :to the left. 27 will engage 33 and the trip lever will be rotated clockwise on the pin 13 carrying with it springs 17 and 18.- The trip lever will continue to' rotate until it reaches the position shown at Fig. '4, whereupon the cam nose 3% of the trip lever 14 which suddenly rebounds, due to the action of the springs 17 and 18.

Now it will be observed from a study of Fig. 1 that normally the cam 35 on the movable electrode arm 10. and the cam 36 on the trip lever 1e are out of'engagement, that is to say a clear space exists between them, and therefore the igniter points in the engine cylinder are held closed as shown in Fig. 7 ,.by reason of spring 11, and this condition also exists during the cooking of the mechanism, and until the mechanism reaches the position shownat Fig. 5, where it will be observed that the cam face 36 has moved sufficiently to the left to engage,

the cam 35 striking the latter a sudden blow,

compressing the spring 11 and causing a sudden opening of the contact points which assume the position shown at Fig. 8. At the instant the points open it will be observed that the magneto crank 29 is moving,

therefore the generator 31 is being actuated, and the rotor of the said generator is so positioned relative to the crank 29 that the maximum current is available in unison with the opening of the points in the cylinder and thereby an efficient igniting spark ably affect the timing of the device, for

although wear of the points may permit cam 35 to approach cam 36 slightly, the relative shape of the opposed faces of 35 and 36 is so determined that this slight coming together of the cams is not of consequence.

Devices in the prior art have always employed adjustable means in connection with the movable electrode arm 10 whereby the timing of engagement of it by the trip lever ltcould be adjusted, and it will be observed by my improved arrangement that the necessity for such adjustable means has been eliminated and therefore the trouble and annoyance caused by said adjustable means coming loose, the same usually comprising -a screw with lock nuts, is avoided.

lVhen the point 27 is disengaged from the that the engaged surfaces of these cams are So presented to each other that the tendency of the trip 14 to stop in its radial anti-clockwise motion is reduced to a minimum. This enables the armature or rotor of the genera tor 31 to continue. to rotate with the trip lever 14 as it is connected thereto, which is not the case when the mechanism strikes a direct opposition such as adjusting screws in the movable electrode arm as employed in the devices shown in the prior art. In other words my arrangement is now free acting on the return stroke, as during this return stroke the entire actuating mechanism does not meet with any direct. opposition, the motion between the cams 35.,and 36 being sliding inits nature. I

. is will also be observed that on the return stroke of the mechanism. that the upturned portion 37 of the trip finger will engage the rear heel 38 of the trip lever, which prevents the trip finger from rising an undue distance due to the pressure of spring 28, and the slope of the end 37 also prevents noiseduring the operation of the devlce,

, A furtheradvantage in the construction of the trip finger shown is that in the event the mechanism is cooked by hand in the position shown at Fig. 4 and that the trip finger 21 maybe in some other position than that shown at Fig. 4, nose 37will prevent the engagement of thetrip finger 21 and the trip lever 14. It will also be noted that the trip finger 21 is definitely displaced in relation to trip lever 14' by reason otthe employment of the cam nose 84: when the finger' 21 is in either the advance position shown at Fig. 2 or the retard position shown at Fig. 3-. The drawings show the complete mechanism described, as projecting through thecylinde r wall 39 of an internal combustion engine and the igniter bracket is secured-thereto in any suitable manner as by the bolt and nut indicated at 40.

What I claim is:

1. An ignition device con'iprising a fixed and amovable electrode, spring means [for holding. the electrodes closed, a trip lever, independent spring means RSSO:

" ciated with the trip lever, means for moving thetrip lever against the action of its springand for releasing the same, a nonadjustable member carried by and operating said movable electrode, a non-adjustable member carried by and movable witht-he trip lever for engaging the non-adwstablemember carried' by the movable electrode.

2.. An ignition device comprising a fired flever against the action of its spring and.

for releasing the same, a cam shaped member carried by the movable electrode for operating the same, and cam shaped member carried by said trip lever for engaging said cam shaped member carried by the movable electrode.

1 3. An ignition device comprising a fixed and a movable electrode, a trip lever, spring means associated with the trip lever, means for moving the trip lever against the action of the spring and for releasing the same, a cam shaped member carried by the movable electrode for operating the same, and a cam shaped member carried by said. trip lever for engaging said cam shapedmember car ried by the movable electrode, said 'cam shaped members being so shaped and'disposed relative to each other that said cam shaped member carriedv by the trip lever will have a sliding or shift-ing linecontact engagement with the cam member carried by. the movable electrode.

a. An ignition device comprising a fixed and a movable electrode, a trip lever, spring means associatedwith the trip lever, means for moving the trip lever against the action of the spring and for, releasing the same, a sleeve attached to the electrode, a cam formed integral with the sleeve, said trip lever having a projecting cam adapted to engage the cam on said sleeve, for separating the electrodes, said cam shaped memwith the lever and adapted to engage'the cam on the sleeve, said cams being shaped so that they have a sliding or shifting line contact engagementwith each other.

6. An ignitlon device comprising. a fixed and a'movable electrode, a tnp lever, sprlng means associated with the trip lever, means for moving the trip lever against the action of the spring and for releasing the same, a cam connected to and operating said movable electrode, a cam connected to said trip lever and adapted to engage the cam for operating the electrode, said cams being shaped and positioned relative to each other, so that the cam on the trip leverwill have a sliding and-shifting engagement With the I cam for operating the electrode and whereby the cam on the trip lever by a continued means associated with the trip lever, means for moving the trip lever against the action of the spring and for releasing the same, a member connected to the movable electrode for operating the same, and means carried by the trip lever for engaging said member for moving the same to separate the electrodes, the point of engage ent between said means and said member eing ashorter distance from the pivotal axis of the movable electrode than the contact point carried by the movable electrode.

8. An ignition device comprising a fixed electrode, a movable electrode including a supporting stem, an arm carried thereby, a.

contact point mounted on said arm, a trip lever, spring means associated with the trip lever for operatlng the same, means for .moving the trip lever against the action of the spring and for releasing the same, a

member attached to said stem of the movable electrode, means carried by the trip lever for engaging said member for operating the movable electrode, the point of en gagement between said means andsaid member being a shorter distance "from the axis'of the stem of the electrode than the contact point carried by the arm of the movable electrode. I

9.'An igniter device comprising a supporting bracket, a fixed electrode carried by said bracket, a movable electrode mounted in said bracket, said movable electrode having an operating member fixed thereto, an abutment carried by the bracket, a compression spring interposed between the abutment and said member for normally holding the contacts closed, and a spring actuated tripping mechanism mounted independently of the movable electrode for 'en-' gaging said memberfor separating the contacts.

10. An ignition device comprising a sup- -porting bracket, a fixed electrode carried thereby, a movable electrode mounted in said bracket, a sleeve carried by said movable electrode, a projecting member formed integral with said sleeve, and having one side thereof substantially fiat and the other side thereof cam shaped, an abutment on the bracket, a compression spring between the flat face of said member and said abutment, and spring actuating tripping mechanism mounted independently of the movtrip lever for-actuating the same, a trip I finger for actuating the trip lever, said trip lever having a tooth adapted to be engaged With the trip finger, and a projecting cam for actuating the movable electrode.

means associated with said trip lever for actuating the same, a trip finger for actuatmg the trlp-lever, said trip lever having a,

tooth adapted to be'engaged by the trip]; finger, a'pro ecting nose for releasing the trip finger from the tooth, and an actuatingcam for operating the movable electrode. 4

13. An igniter device comprising a fixed andja movable electrode, a trip lever, spring means associated with the trip lever for ac tuating the same,-an operating trip finger for turning the trip lever against the action of said spring means, said trip lever having atooth adapted to be engaged by said trip finger, means for yieldingly pressing the trip finger toward the trip lever, said trip finger having an upturned end adapted toengage the trip lever at a point in rear of the tooth. '14. An igniter device comprising a fixed and a movable electrode, a trip lever for actuating the movable electrode, sprin means associated with the trip lever, a trip finger for actuating and releasmgthe trip lever, a reciprocatmg rod and an eccentric bushing connection between the rod and the trip finger, which may be shifted for varying the. position of the trip finger for timing purposes.

15. An igniter device comprising a fixed and a movable electrode, a trip lever for ac tuating the movable electrode, spring means 12. An igniter device comprising a fixed and a movable electrode, a trip lever, spring associated with the trip lever, said trip lever having a tooth, a trip finger having a shoulder adapted to engage said tooth,mean3 for trip finger for actuating and releasing the trip lever, a reciprocating rod, a pin carried by said rod, an eccentric bushin on said pin, said trip. finger having a col at engaging said bushing, yielding means for holding said bushing in adjusted position, and means whereby said bushing may be shifted.-

17. An ignition device comprising an igniter bracket having therein fixed and cam to yieldingly hold said electrode in a predetermined position, an abutment for sald spring pro3ect1ng from the face of said bracket, a-shaft in said bracket, a trip lever supported by said shaft, said lever comprising a cam surface adapted to engage said first mentioned cam, a tooth on said lever, a cam nose about said tooth, and spring means between said trip lever and said bracket whereby the trip lever is yieldingly held in a predetermined position, substan tially as described.

.18. An ignition device r mpr ising bracket having fixed and movable electrodes therein, a cam on the movable electrode, a spring adapted to engage said cam there-by yieldingly hold the electrode in a predetermined position, an abutment on the bracket for positioning said spring, a pair of arms extending from the body of said bracket and forming spring anchorages, shaft positioned below said cam, trip lever on said shaft having a cam portion adapted to engage said first cam-and another portion having an engaging tooth, a spring for the trip lever whereby itis held in a predetersaid trip iever whereby it mav bi predetermined position, a latera .ing shelf, a magneto generator cured to said shelf and a connection betweei'a on one of said electrodes, 5 spring; pressing said cam and thereby lielding said. eieetrode in a predetermined position, a trip ierer mounted on said bracket and having its rota tive center below said cam, said trip lever having a cane surface adapted to gage said first mentioned cam, springs e eld liy

said generator and trip lever whereby the generator may be removed from the Without removing the trip le er therel 'froin, substa ally as described,

in testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses ALBERT ERICKSGH.

Witnesses:

A. L, SHAW, ENEZ BETHEA.

eeied to 

